A tree has been planted in Compass Gardens to commemorate Councillor Patricia Hughes’ term of office as Mayor of Chelmsford. The Black Pine tree was planted on Saturday 26 November by the Mayor and her Consort, Paul Hughes.

Chelmsford City Council’s Cabinet Member for Parks, Councillor Bob Massey, welcomed attendees to the event and invited the Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend Carol Ball from the Holy Trinity Church in South Woodham Ferrers, to open the ceremony with a prayer. At the end of the ceremony Councillor Massey presented the Mayor with an engraved spade as a memento of the occasion.

Councillor Patricia Hughes said: “This tree will be a constant reminder to me of my year in office, which has given me the opportunity of meeting many wonderful people. In Chelmsford we benefit greatly from the voluntary work of large numbers of organisations and their supporters and helpers who make a real difference to our city. I will remember my experience with fondness and with pride.”

The planting of this tree not only marks the Mayor’s year of service, but it is also the start of National Tree Week, which this year is being held between Saturday 26 November to Sunday 4 December. National Tree Week is the UK’s largest celebration of trees and the start of the winter tree planting season.